SDP’s Adewole Adebayo Advocates Good Governance to Curb Defections, Calls for People-Centric Opposition

In an interview on June 25, 2025, Adewole Adebayo, a lawyer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and Social Democratic Party (SDP) leader, attributed Nigeria’s wave of political defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to a lack of good governance, arguing that addressing poverty, insecurity, and corruption would eliminate the incentive for politicians to “jump ship.” He described many defectors as opportunistic, waiting in opposition until the “next bus” of the ruling party arrives, orchestrated to demoralize opposition parties. “The causes are preventable, and the solution is good governance,” Adebayo stated, emphasizing that genuine opposition stems from ideological differences rooted in the Nigerian people’s interests, not personal gain. He cited his unwavering commitment to the SDP since joining at 19 in 1991, inspired by figures like Lateef Jakande and MKO Abiola’s “farewell to poverty” vision, which remains relevant amid Nigeria’s 33.9% inflation (NBS April 2025) and 2,500 terrorism deaths in Q1 2025 (ACLED).

Adebayo criticized defectors who claim problems are being addressed, accusing them of lacking conviction and being swayed by transient political enticements, such as photo opportunities with President Bola Tinubu. He gave Tinubu an “A1 in politics” for mastering political recruitment but an “F9 in governance” for failing to deliver basic services, stability, and security, particularly in Benue and Plateau, where over 200 died in recent attacks (Punch June 2025). Analyzing Tinubu’s June 12 May Day address, Adebayo argued it prioritized political defections over accountability to Nigerians, whose “rumbling stomachs” drown out the “music” of APC’s political chorus led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. He stressed that governance, not politics, should define Tinubu’s tenure, urging focus on constitutional adherence, economic management, and infrastructure like reliable telecommunications, rather than “economizing the truth.”

Addressing perceptions of a disorganized opposition, Adebayo defended the SDP’s ideological roots, anchored in Chapter 2 of Nigeria’s Constitution and Abiola’s 1992 manifesto, which he updated in his 2023 campaign to tackle poverty and insecurity. He acknowledged the SDP’s open-door policy but stressed that defectors with transactional motives are filtered out by the party’s principled membership, citing attempts to hijack the SDP that failed due to its ideological grounding. Adebayo refuted claims of being a lone voice, asserting that the SDP’s principles resonate with Nigerians, particularly youth, who are patient in building a people-centric party. He criticized career politicians who oppose only when excluded from appointments, calling for a “sanitized” opposition free of opportunists.

Adebayo argued that Tinubu underestimates the real opposition—public discontent—by focusing on capturing institutions and politicians, a strategy that neglects the 87% of Nigerians dissatisfied with governance (Afrobarometer 2024). He advocated for a grassroots-driven SDP, rejecting reliance on “big men with money” and emphasizing contributions from ordinary citizens to deepen democracy. Posts on X, like @SaharaReporters, amplify Adebayo’s call for governance reform, while @Naija_PR notes public frustration with defections, with users like @ChuksEricE praising his ideological consistency. Adebayo’s vision, rooted in long-term structural reform, contrasts with the APC’s defection-driven strategy, which saw 15 prominent defectors in 2024 (Punch), and positions the SDP as a potential alternative amid Nigeria’s crises as 2027 looms.